Pepper Johnson was drafted No. 51 overall by the New York Giants in the 1986 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. 193 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 79 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #51
- Round
- 2
- Draft class
- 1986
- NFL games
- 193
- Years as starter
- 10
- Career AV
- 793rd at Ohio State
- Pro Bowls
- 2
- All-Pro
- 1
The pick
How Pepper Johnson came off the board in 1986.
- Position
- Linebacker LB
- College
-
Ohio State
Big Ten at the draft
- Side of the ball
- Defense
NFL career
193 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 79 career approximate value
- Games played
- 193
- Seasons as a starter
- 10
- Career approximate value
- 793rd among Ohio State picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 4658% of career value
- Final season
- 199812 years after the draft
- Accolades
- 1× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
Around pick 51
Who came off the board on either side of Pepper Johnson.
Texas A&M
Wisconsin La Crosse · 2× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
Western Michigan · 1× All-Pro · 5× Pro Bowl
Arkansas
Ohio State in the 1986 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Other LB picks from Ohio State
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Ohio State · 1× All-Pro · 4× Pro Bowl
#15
Ryan Shazier
LB · PIT · 2014
Ohio State · 2× Pro Bowl
#91
Mike Vrabel
LB · PIT · 1997
Ohio State · 1× All-Pro · 1× Pro Bowl
#5
A.J. Hawk
LB · GB · 2006
Ohio State · 1× Pro Bowl
#98
Na'il Diggs
LB · GB · 2000
Ohio State
#35
James Laurinaitis
LB · LAR · 2009
Ohio State
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Pepper Johnson in the 1986 NFL Draft
Pepper Johnson is a Linebacker out of Ohio State selected No. 51 overall by the New York Giants in the 1986 NFL Draft. 193 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 79 career approximate value Ohio State has produced 284 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Pepper Johnson drafted?
Pepper Johnson was selected No. 51 overall by the New York Giants in the 1986 NFL Draft (Rd 2). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1986/pepper-johnson.
What college did Pepper Johnson play for?
Pepper Johnson played college football at Ohio State in the Big Ten. See every Ohio State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/ohio-state-buckeyes.
How did Pepper Johnson's NFL career turn out?
193 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 79 career approximate value Accolades: 1× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1986/pepper-johnson.